Bella's POVI thought I was dreaming at first. I sat in the passenger seat, my arms crossed, watching Leo's hands grip the wheel like a lifeline. The road ahead was dark, and the occasional flash of headlights from passing cars illuminated his face, sharp and unreadable."Leo, stop the car," I said when my brain finally processed all that was happening. When I’d gone outside to take the call from Ryan the last thing I expected was for my ex husband to show up out of nowhere. He didn't answer."Leo!" I snapped, louder this time. "Where are we going? This is insane.”Nothing. He didn't even flinch, his eyes fixed on the road.My chest tightened. "If you don't stop this car right now, I swear I'll—""Bella," he said suddenly, cutting me off. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "Please. Just trust me."Trust him? After he'd dragged me out of my house in the middle of the night without an explanation? My blood boiled. "Trust you?" I laughed bitterly. "Are you serious? You're the last
I stared blankly at him, blinking a few times. Spend the night together? I shook my head. No. No way. I peeled my eyes away from him, pushing the door open, stepping out. Cold rain hit my skin instantly. I shivered. "I'm heading back home," I said. Behind me, I heard his door open. I frowned, not looking at him as he slammed the driver's seat closed behind me. "And once I get back, I'll get you fucking arrested." I put my hands to my head like it was a shield from the rain, squinting my eyes to see the road back, if there would be any way to get back on my own. I was about to start walking when he held my hand, "there's no point," he yelled over the loud showers, "you can't find your way back in this rain." I pulled free from him, "yeah, I wonder why, because none of this would have happened if I was at home!" "Great," I muttered, storming toward the cabin, gating the cold against my skin. "Bella—" "Don't talk to me," I snapped. "Don't even look at me." He said nothing. But
Leo’s POVListening to her speak, my eyes were focused on her lips. They were just as beautiful as I remembered, her words started to fade away anf I found myself leaning closer.Her lips were soft, warmer than I remembered.For a second, she kissed me back. Her hands almost reached for my neck, pulling me closer. I could feel her heartbeat racing against mine.But then, she froze.Bella pulled back fast, eyes wide, breath uneven. Without warning, she reached in, striking my face with a slap.It stung but barely did a thing to make me move."What-what was that?" Her voice cracked, full of panic.I didn’t know how to answer."You fucking bastard, Leo, how dare you?!" She took a step away from me, "so not only did you choose to kidnap me, you assaulted me too?"Hearing the genuine hurt in my voice made me realise I crossed the line, unlike me, she really wasn't stuck on two years ago.It stung my chest how she repelled from me."Bella, wait." I reached for her, but she stepped back, s
Bella’s POVThe rain was cold. It soaked through my clothes, chilling me to the bone. But none of that mattered. I was focused on Leo. His breathing was uneven, his eyes wide and unfocused. I didn’t understand what had happened. I didn’t ask. I just knew I had to get him inside.I’d left angered, hating that for a short minute I had kissed him back. But more than that I was completely shocked by what just transpired. “Come on,” I whispered, wrapping my arm around his waist. He was heavy, his body tense, but he didn’t resist. His steps were slow, uneven. Like he wasn’t really here. Like his mind was somewhere far away.We stumbled back into the cabin. The door creaked shut behind us. The rain kept pounding outside, but in here, it was quieter. I guided him to the small couch, helping him sit. His shirt was soaked, clinging to his skin. His chest rose and fell fast, like he couldn’t catch his breath.I didn’t know what to say. So, I said nothing.I found a towel draped over a chair. I
Bella’s POVI stared down at his hand holding mind, trailing my gaze up until I met his eyes and then back at his hand. I snatched my hand from his grip and repelled. I could still feel the warmth of his hand on mine, even though I wasn’t holding it anymore. His eyes had been so intense, pulling me in, making me forget, just for a second, everything that had happened. Everything he’d done.For a brief moment, I let myself get lost in it. In him. His gaze. His warmth. The familiar feeling that used to make my heart race.But then it hit me.Like a slap to my own face.I pulled my hand away fast, my heart pounding for a different reason now. Anger. Disgust. At him. At myself.What the hell was I doing?I stood up quickly, putting distance between us. His eyes followed me, confused, maybe even hurt. But I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to fall for it. Not again.I heard the bed creak as he shuffled in bed. I crossed my arms over my chest, my jaw tight. “No,” I muttered under my breath,
Leo’s POV I woke up with a sharp headache, my hands instinctively went to search the space beside me. Empty. She was gone. I sat up wincing and groaning, massaging my temples. I stared at the empty space, so none of last night was a dream after all. I clenched my jaw, my fists tightening on the blanket. She chose him. A man who couldn’t even love her the way I did. The child wasn’t mine. Every illusion I’d clung to was all shattered in an instant. Two years. Two fucking years of searching for her, chasing shadows, thinking I could fix what was broken. What a joke. I swung my legs off the bed, grabbing my clothes from the floor. My movements were stiff, cold. “Enough,” I muttered to myself. “No more.” I stormed out of the cabin and got into the car. My hands gripped the steering wheel as I drove back to the house, the anger simmering beneath my skin. The front door swung open as soon as I parked. My mother stood there, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. “Leo!” she snap
“Who?” I frowned, narrowing my eyes at Dennis.Dennis cleared his throat. “Le Deon, sir.”I froze. “Le Deon?” I repeated slowly.He nodded, adjusting his tie nervously. “Yes, sir. The Le Deon.”For a second, I said nothing. Le Deon was the biggest name in jewelry design. She sold her pieces to billionaires and high-end companies. Everyone in the industry knew the name, but no one had ever seen her face. She was a complete mystery—just a name behind a massive empire.And now, apparently, she had signed up for my competition.Dennis shifted on his feet, looking more uncomfortable by the second. “Sir, you can’t cancel the event. She’s already spread the news that she’ll be participating. And…” He paused, hesitating.“And what?” I asked, my voice sharp.“She’s… doing a face reveal at the event. It’s causing a stir on social media. Millions are talking about it,” Dennis finished.I blinked, processing his words. Le Deon. The most secretive designer in the world. Doing a face reveal—at my e
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my cufflinks. My black tux fit perfectly, sharp and tailored. The crisp white shirt underneath, paired with a dark silk tie, made the look complete. My shoes were polished until they shined, and my hair was styled neatly. I looked every bit the part for tonight’s event.But I couldn’t focus on how I looked. My mind was elsewhere.“Dennis,” I called out as I fixed my tie one last time. “Any news from her team?”Dennis stood by the door, his phone in hand. He glanced at the screen and shook his head. “No news, sir. Nothing at all.”I frowned. “She hasn’t said why she’s doing this? Others have begged her to show up before, and she always refused. Why now?”Dennis cleared his throat. “No reason given, sir. No statement from her team.”I nodded slowly, the same questions running through my mind. Why this event? Why here?“You ready?” Dennis asked.I adjusted my jacket, giving myself one last look. “Yeah, let’s go.”We arrived at the event, and the
Bella’s POVI turned sharply, grabbing the hotel phone on the nightstand. My fingers pressed the buttons fast, my other hand gripping my hip. The line rang twice before a voice answered.“Front desk, how may I assist you?”“Yes,” I said, forcing my voice to stay even. “There’s been a mistake. I was assigned a shared room, but I need my own. Fix it.”A brief pause. “May I have your name, ma’am?”I clenched my jaw. “Bella.”More typing on the other end. Then, “I’m very sorry, ma’am, but all rooms have been assigned. We are fully booked.”I exhaled, pressing my fingers to my temple. “There has to be another room.”“I do apologize, but we don’t have any available at the moment.”I closed my eyes. “So, you’re saying there’s nothing you can do?”A slight hesitation. “Not tonight, ma’am. I can put in a request to see if anything opens up tomorrow.”Tomorrow.I pulled the phone away, staring at it like I could crush it with my mind. Then I brought it back to my ear. “Forget it.” I slammed it
Bella’s POVI grabbed Leo’s wrist the moment he stepped closer. Without a word, I pulled him away from the others, ignoring the murmurs and questioning looks. The second we were out of earshot, I let go and crossed my arms.“What is she doing here?” My voice was low, sharp.Leo ran a hand through his hair. “She’s sick.”I scoffed. “And?”He exhaled. “I couldn’t leave her behind like this.”I narrowed my eyes. “Leo, this is a business trip.”“And she needs me,” he shot back. “No one can take care of her the way I can.”I let out a slow breath, my patience thinning. “Do you have any idea how bad this looks? You showing up late with her—”“Then let them think what they want,” he interrupted. His voice was calm, but I could see the frustration behind his eyes.I stared at him, my fingers tightening against my arms. “You always do this.”His jaw clenched. “Do what?”“Put her above everything,” I said. “Even when you know it’s a bad idea.”His expression didn’t change. “She’s important to m
Bella’s POVThe airport lounge was filled with noise—shareholders chatting, assistants running around, the occasional announcement blaring through the speakers. I sat in one of the sleek black chairs, legs crossed, fingers drumming lightly against my knee. My patience was wearing thin.Leo was late.I glanced at my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. He had fifteen more minutes before I made a decision he wouldn’t like.Across from me, Mr. Carson, one of the older shareholders, adjusted his glasses and leaned forward. “should we be concerned?”I turned to him with a small smile, controlled, professional. “Concerned about what, Mr. Carson?”He gestured vaguely. “Our CEO. If he doesn’t show up, it won’t be a good look for us when we land. The investors expect strong leadership.”I nodded, giving him a reassuring look. “And they’ll get that. Trust me, Mr. Carson, Leo knows how important this is.”Mrs. Patel, sitting beside him, arched a brow. “Then why is he late?”I kept my exp
Bella’s POVMy bags were packed. My flight outfit was laid out. Everything was set.I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the blazer I had picked for the trip. Simple, professional, and most importantly, untouchable. I needed to be untouchable on this trip. No room for distractions. No room for Leo.Ryan sat on the couch, staring at his phone, his expression unreadable. His fingers tapped restlessly against his knee, a sure sign that something was bothering him.I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorway. “Alright, what is it?”He glanced up, hesitated, then sighed. “My dad. He’s mad at me for something again.”I rolled my eyes and walked over to sit beside him. “What is it this time?”Ryan shook his head. “Who knows? He just called, asked if I was really coming back, and then when I said I wasn’t sure, he just… sighed. You know that disappointed sigh he does?”I did know. I’d heard it before.I patted his knee. “Ryan, you can’t keep stressing over this. You know he’s never go
Leo’s POVI stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. My bags were packed, my schedule cleared, and lodged in the hotel ready to leave and yet here I was, stuck listening to Stella cry for the past fifteen minutes.“You can’t go, Leo!” she wailed, gripping the edge of my desk like her life depended on it. “You just can’t!”I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “Stella, I have to.”She shook her head violently. “No, you don’t! Why do you have to follow her? Why do you have to go on this stupid trip?!”I exhaled, forcing patience into my voice. “This is business.”“This is Bella!” She looked at me, eyes red and swollen. “She’s dragging you into something. You know she is!”I didn’t answer. Instead, I walked over to my wardrobe and grabbed the last of my things. Stella let out a frustrated noise and stomped her foot like a child. “Leo! Are you even listening to me?!”I turned to her. “Enough.”Her mouth snapped shut.I hated that I was snappi
I kept my expression calm, my posture straight, my hands lightly clasped in front of me. Unbothered. Collected. Like I had everything under control.But inside?Oh, I was spiraling.This wasn’t the plan. Not at all.I had only called the meeting to push Leo out of sight. Not to launch an entire international expansion. That wasn’t what I came here for.But the moment the words left my mouth, I saw it—the shift in the room.The way the shareholders leaned in. The way their skepticism turned into consideration. The way Leo’s eyes narrowed at me like he was trying to figure out what I was up to.And I knew.If I backtracked now, they’d question everything. They’d start picking apart my motives, wondering why I suggested it in the first place. They’d doubt me.Doubt meant weakness.So, with the same unfazed smile, I said, “Sure.”And just like that, it was decided.The meeting continued for a while—discussions, planning, logistics—but my mind barely kept up. I nodded when needed, answered
I leaned back in my chair, watching as Bella stood at the front of the boardroom. Her posture was confident, her chin slightly raised like she owned the place.She looked around the room, taking her time, making sure everyone’s eyes were on her.“I called this meeting,” she began, her voice smooth, steady. “Because there’s something important we need to discuss.”I crossed my arms, waiting.“The competition,” she continued. “It’s already a success, but I don’t believe in settling. We are going to take it further.”Murmurs spread through the room. Some of the board members exchanged glances. Others leaned forward, curious.Bella didn’t pause. “We are expanding the competition. Internationally.”Silence. Then, almost at once, the reactions came.“What?” One of the older board members frowned. “Internationally?”“Do you know how much work that would take?” another man asked, shaking his head.A woman near the end of the table adjusted her glasses. “That’s… a huge leap. Do we even have th
Leo pov I drove back, my grip tight on the wheel, my jaw clenched so hard it hurt.Bella had looked me in the eyes and walked away. Like I was nothing. Like she didn’t care.She didn’t even hesitate.The streets blurred past me, but my mind was stuck on her. The way she stood there, cold, unshaken. The way she threatened to call the police, as if I was just some stranger in her way.I let out a harsh breath, slamming my palm against the steering wheel.So that was it?She really had no care for me. None.I pulled into my driveway and killed the engine, but I didn’t get out. I just sat there, staring ahead, my hands still gripping the wheel.Fine.If that’s how she wanted to play it, then I’d show her.She thought she could walk back into my world, make a statement, and then toss me aside?Oh, I was going to show her.She shouldn’t mess with me.I ran a hand through my hair, scanning through the report on my desk. The numbers were steady, but steady wasn’t good enough. We needed more.
stared at Leo, my heart pounding, my hands clenched so tight my nails dug into my skin. He looked at me, waiting, like he had just said something that should change my whole world.I took a step closer. “And even so?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the night air. “What’s it to you?”Leo’s jaw tightened. “Bella—”I didn’t let him finish. “You think you can just stand here and tell me that like it matters? Like it changes anything?”His eyes darkened. “It does.”“No,” I snapped. “It doesn’t.” My breath was heavy. “You have no right to stand in my way, Leo. None.”He exhaled sharply. “Bella, listen—”“No,” I cut in again. I pointed a finger at him. “You listen to me. If you don’t get out of my way right now, I will call the police, and I will get you arrested. Do you hear me?”Leo stared at me like he couldn’t believe what I had just said. His lips parted, but no words came out.I didn’t wait for him to respond. I turned on my heels, walked straight to the car, and got in.Ryan shu